Grid Effect

Last night’s episode represented the best and worst of what Entourage has ever had to offer. For instance, their was a heavy emphasis on Ari mentoring not only Eric but also Turtle. This speaks to some sort of character development the series has been severely lacking since pretty much the second season. At the same time, however, there are numerous lapses in logic, unnecessarily hurried plot points (ones that in the past have never been touched on again) and a vast array of unbearably awful “comedy” moments and boring “how great are our lives?” extended scenes.

Let’s start with what was enjoyable: Turtle deciding to branch out on his own. They’ve attempted and failed to do this on several occasions (Rufus’ daughter and Saigon being the most notable), who would’ve thought that all it would take to get him properly motivated was set him up with a millionaire actress. Anyways, I would love to see them follow through on this as it would bring a new plot and hopefully derive a broader scope of humor for a series desperately in need of a revival, but there isn’t any reason for me to think this will actually happen.

It also begs the question: why would Turtle all of a sudden feel uncomfortable mooching off of Vince? Because he’s dating Meadow Soprano? If anything you’d think he would consider that liberating. I mean, at least he’d be mooching off someone that would be considered more conventional than a platonic high school friend. Vince doesn’t play in the NBA, after all. I’m also not sure why he’d interpret both his friend and girlfriend getting him a car as “thinking he’s a loser”. In short, there was just so much bewildering about it that I was distracted by the bigger picture: Turtle is finally going to attempt to regain control of his own life. But in the Entourage universe, that has tended to mean they’ll touch on it a couple more times five and nine weeks later before abandoning the plot altogether.

Eric had the other dominant storyline this week, and he too relied on going to Ari for help instead of the three friends who never offer anything constructive, but it seems like he should have been able to keep Charlie on his own series behind the camera if not in front of it. I mean, it was his show that tested so high. One would think that would count for something. Personally I think E should figure out how to get his The Crush-esque love interest off his back. Not that she’s especially annoying or anything, but since she’s clearly lying about her age (as is the actress’s IMDB page), it would be wise to seek some mentoring on that front. Her juvenile descriptions of why she doesn’t like Charlie are just emphasizing her young appearance. It’s also a little ironic, since “I don’t like her” is exactly how I would describe the actresses presence on this show so far. He needs to get back to bedding women like Holly Valance and casting needs to get their shit together.

That was pretty much the bulk of the episode with the only redeeming scenes both involving Jeremy Piven. Kevin Connolly and Jerry Ferrara managed to hold their own, but then they took Ari’s sound advice out into the world, we got Eric’s remarkably weak, “well maybe you’re racist” line delivered to the TV exec; and Turtle’s revelation that he’s taking business courses at UCLA. But no explanation of how he’s finagling his way into a competitive business college, other than Jamie Lynn-Sigler might be willing to donate enough money for his enrollment (that’s just my assumption).

Other notes from this episode with the ridiculous title I refuse to retype:

-I actually think the best scene that encompassed Turtle’s sudden self-consciousness was 50 Cent’s cameo, which was unusually good for any a series that thrives on shitty cameos.

-Is there a specific reason Drama’s lines are written worse and worse and with less efficacy? God, that line about E being too small for anyone to find was brutal.

-It’ll be interesting to see if they keep Charlie in the storyline. For a series that regularly packs too much fluff into its seasons, for them to put emphasis on the “Murphy Group” would be enjoyable, but I doubt it happens.

They didn’t follow up with Ari and Andrew at all (in fact we didn’t even see Andrew), and outside of a couple throwaway remarks we didn’t get any development with Ari and Lloyd. I will say that one theme we enjoyed is Ari appears to be playing an even larger role this season, which is always a step in the right direction. He’s not really what the series is supposed to be predicated on, but keeping the series fresh is the top priority. If he’s going to be a life coach for all four members of the “Entourage” and it’s the best they have to offer, then by all means, it’s better than watching Eric and Turtle bemoan shit that people in their respective positions just do without consultation.

Back tomorrow with Weeds and Rescue Me recaps.